On Wednesday, December 3, 2014, Doug passed away at his home in Gibsons, B.C. after a brief illness.

Doug Mitani was born in Dryden, Ontario on September 24, 1946. He was the youngest son of Hiroshi and Mitsuye Mitani, brother to Lawrence (the late Erika), Dick (Donna) (the late Patty), Don (Lyn) (the late Dolores), Donna (Jerome) and father of Sherri (Paul) and Darcy (Colleen). Sherri is the dentist/owner of South Pointe Dental, and Darcy played professional hockey in both Japan and Korea for several years. Both reside in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mourning his passing in Gibsons, B.C. are his wife Cerra-Lyn, and step-sons Bradley and Jason and their families.

Doug spent his younger years playing hockey in Dryden (a proud Dryden Rocket Alumni), Flin Flon, Manitoba and Prince George, B.C. Many old friends and competitors will remember the talent and dexterity of this left-handed hockey player, baseball pitcher and judoka. Others will remember Doug for his love of the outdoors, as an avid fisherman and fishing guide on several Northwestern Ontario lakes, and his flavoursome cooking. Before moving to B.C., Doug worked at the Dryden Paper Company as a Millwright.

A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, December 14th 2014, in Gibsons, B.C.

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About Author

Chris Marchand is a native of Dryden, Ontario. He served his first newspaper internship at The Dryden Observer in 1998 while attending journalism studies at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops B.C.
He's worked desks as both reporter and editor at the Fernie Free Press as well as filled the role of sports editor at the Cranbrook Daily Townsman.
Marchand was named editor of the Dryden Observer in Aug. 2009.

(1) Reader Comment

Brad

July 21, 2017 at 5:18 am

Doug embodied that precarious, near impossible, balance that a proper Man strives for: between sensitivity, compassion, and impeccable manners and decorum on the one hand, and the ability to knock you into the end boards or flip you on your back effortlessly when you question his Judo skills…ahem.. on the other hand.

He has had a huge influence on my life and how I conduct myself and I still struggle with his untimely and far to early passing….He’s fishing with Wally now, and I hope when my time comes there’s a spot for me in that boat.